Egypt
Business Etiquette & Culture

Egypt
Introduction

Egypt,
officially Arab Republic of Egypt is a country
in northeastern Africa and southwestern Asia. Its
northern boarder is the Mediterranean Sea, on the
east lies Israel and the Red Sea, Sudan is to its
south, and on the west is Libya. The land of the
Nile River, Egypt is the cradle of one of the worlds
greatest ancient civilizations and has a recorded
history that dates from approximately 3200 BC.

Although
modern day Egyptians are usually lumped together
with "the Arabs" due to their language
and Islamic traditions, this is not completely
accurate. There is a truly Bedouin Arab grouping
within Egypt, who are still largely nomadic tribal
people living in isolated oases and roaming through
the country's vast desert regions. Many Bedouin
Arabs reside the Sinai Peninsula and along the
Red Sea coast, across from Arabia.

Egypt Fun
Fact

Egyptians
often consider their country to be a bridge between
the European West and the Arab East. Thus, business
practices may resemble European or Arab practices
or anything in between.

Geert
Hofstede Analysis for Egypt

The Geert Hofstede analysis for Egypt
is almost identical to other Arab countries their Muslim faith
plays a large role in the peoples lives. Large power distance
and uncertainty avoidance are the predominant characteristics
for this region. This indicates that it is expected and accepted
that
leaders separate themselves from the group and issue complete
and specific directives.

The
Geert Hofstede analysis for the Arab World, that
includes the countries of Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon,
Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrates
the Muslim faith plays a significant role in the people’s
lives.

Large Power Distance (PDI) (80) and Uncertainty Avoidance
(UAI) (68) are predominant Hofstede Dimension characteristics
for the countries in this region. These societies are
more likely to follow a caste system that does not
allow significant upward mobility of its citizens.
They are also highly rule-oriented with laws, rules,
regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount
of uncertainty, while inequalities of power and wealth
have been allowed to grow within the society.

When
these two Dimensions are combined, it creates a situation
where leaders have virtually ultimate power
and authority, and the rules, laws and regulations
developed by those in power reinforce their own leadership
and control. It is not unusual for new leadership to
arise from armed insurrection – the ultimate
power, rather than from diplomatic or democratic change.

The high Power Distance (PDI) ranking is indicative
of a high level of inequality of power and wealth within
the society. These populations have an expectation
and acceptance that leaders will separate themselves
from the group and this condition is not necessarily
subverted upon the population, but rather accepted
by the society as their cultural heritage.

The
high Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) ranking of
68, indicates the society’s
low level of tolerance for uncertainty. In an effort
to minimize
or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict rules,
laws, policies, and regulations are adopted and implemented.
The ultimate goal of these populations is to control
everything in order to eliminate or avoid the unexpected.
As a result of this high Uncertainty Avoidance characteristic,
the society does not readily accept change and is
very risk adverse.

The Masculinity index (MAS), the
third highest Hofstede Dimension is 52, only slightly
higher than the 50.2 average for all the countries
included in the Hofstede MAS Dimension. This would
indicate that while women in the Arab World are
limited in their rights, it may be due more to Muslim
religion
rather than a cultural paradigm.

The lowest Hofstede Dimension for the Arab World is
the Individualism (IDV) ranking at 38, compared to
a world average ranking of 64. This translates into
a Collectivist society as compared to Individualist
culture and is manifested in a close long-term commitment
to the member 'group', that being a family, extended
family, or extended relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist
culture is paramount, and over-rides most other societal
rules.More Geert Hofstede Details

Religion
in Egypt

*
WORLD FACTBOOK 2011

The predominant religion for Egypt is Islam, the
practice of the Muslim faith. (see Article)

An
Imam explains Islam By IMAM SHAMSHAD A. NASIR

Islam
is the name of the religion that was founded 1,400
years ago by the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.
Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, love
and complete submission and obedience to God. There
is no difference between Islam and Muslims. Islam
is the religion that a Muslim follows, just as
Christianity is the religion which a Christian
follows.

A
Muslim is someone who has accepted Islam and lives
his whole life according to the teachings of Islam.
A true Muslim is one who is loving and caring,
promotes peace, and is fully obedient and submissive
to the will of God.

Islam
demands from its believers that they establish
peace in the world, promote love and make such
examples of themselves that others, knowing that
they are Muslims, feel at peace and harmony in
that knowledge. This is the true Islam and what
it means to be a Muslim.

The
Holy Prophet of Islam has said that a true Muslim
is one whose actions and words do not harm his
fellow man.

ISLAMIC
GREETINGS When Muslims greet each other, instead
of saying, “good morning” or “hello” they
say “Assalamo Alaikum,” which means “May
peace be upon you and may God's blessings be with
you.” This greeting makes a Muslim aware that
he has to spread love and peace wherever he goes.

ATTRIBUTES
OF GOD There are many attributes of God, one being “AsSalam” meaning “the
Bestower of peace and love.” Man has been created
to fashion himself to the attributes of God and Muslims
must try to adopt this attribute of God.

If
someone calling himself a Muslim and a follower
of the Holy Prophet does not promote peace and
love in his actions and does not follow this teaching,
he cannot be a true follower of the Holy Prophet.

A
MUSLIM'S PRAYERS Muslims pray five times a day, asking God
for his love.

They
pray, “Oh God! You are Peace and from you,
is Peace; Blessed are you, O Lord of Majesty and
Bounty.”

THE
RELIGION OF ISLAM Islam is a religion from God for the whole
of mankind and the name Islam was given to the Muslims
by God himself in the Holy Quran.

“This
day have I perfected your religion for you and
completed my favour upon you and have chosen for
you Islam as religion.”

The
Holy Quran has been sent for the guidance of mankind.
It is full of wisdom and commands.

Egypt Appearance

Foreigners are expected to abide by local standards
of modesty however, do not adopt native clothing.

A jacket and tie are usually required for men at
business meetings. Men should wear long pants and
a shirt.

Women
should always wear modest clothing in public.

Egypt Behavior
& Manners

Space
relationships among members of the same sex will
be much closer than North Americans and Europeans
are comfortable with. Egyptians will tend to stand
close and moving away may be seen as a sign of
aloofness. On the other hand, men and women stand
farther apart from each other than is the custom
in United States and Europe.

Try
not to sit with your legs crossed. Showing the
sole of your shoe is considered an insult to another
person.

It
is common to smoke in public. Be considerate to
others present and offer your cigarettes.

Egypt Communications

Names
are often confusing. It's best to get the names
(in English) of those you will meet, speak to,
or correspond with ahead of time so that you can
find out both their full names and how they are
to be addressed in person.

Arabic
is read from right to left and books or magazines
start at what would be the last page in the U.S.
and Europe. Printed literature are preferred to
have an impressive back cover, even if printed
in English.

Nearly
all Egyptians speak Arabic. Most international
business people will speak English, French or both.

Frequently
appointments may be interrupted by phone calls
and/or visits.

If
locating in Egypt, business cards should be printed
in English on one side and Arabic on the other.